WHO'S WHO in
Steve Ryan
Steven G. Ryan: Artist Statement
My artwork consists of drawings (pencils, pen & ink, oil pastel) paintings, ( watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints) photography, pyrography, and the written word (poetry) created on various surfaces, papers, and canvas. (stretched and canvas board)
My “Old, Black Irish Soul” as my mother calls it, has served me well over the years as the driving force behind my art. I have always had piece ideas rattling around in my head from the time I can remember and it’s a constant push to get them to leave me alone. I have learned the only way to quiet them was in fact to create them. When I got older, photography gave me a far faster way to create, seeing the image outside of my head within minutes instead of days or weeks. However the reverse is true as I have had photographs that worked much better as a painting. Often as I am working words and phrases will come to me that I can later turn into a poem. I almost always listen to instrumental movie soundtracks (can’t be lyrics or I get distracted) as I work , my favorites being Braveheart, The Last Samurai, The Last of the Mohicans, King Arthur, and Gladiator. .
Personal quote: "The brave ones were shooting the enemy; the crazy ones were shooting film." —War correspondent after viewing Marine combat photographers.
Creedo: "Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god."
-Sir Francis Bacon
About Steven G. Ryan
CONTACT e-mail: dressblues8892@hotmail.com.
Website: https://www.artpal.com/StevenRyan
Biography:
Steve Ryan, was born in Johnstown, PA, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school. Graduating boot camp in October 1988 he attended the Combat Still Photographic Specialist School at Lowry, AFB in Denver, Co. In 5 months of training he earned 534 credit hours graduating the course in February 1989. He then transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC, serving as a Combat Photographer.
Combat photographers take photographs using all types of cameras and accessories in a variety of environments (including time of darkness and underwater) to support a wide range of requirements including: information operations, operational imagery, civil affairs, classified intelligence imagery, investigations, research, development, and recruiting. They perform equipment inspection, preventive maintenance, visual and electronic quality control, captioning, archive accessioning, and photographic finishing.
Leaving the Marine Corps and returning home in 1992, he began a 15 year work history with Chuck Mamula Photography as a photographer and graphic artist. While working he continued drawing, painting and shooting, to have some of his works on permanent display at the Cambria County Airport, and the 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial.
His award winning photographs have been exhibited in numerous juried shows. He is member of the Conemaugh Valley Veterans, and a Life Member of the Marine Corps League Detachment #287,Johnstown, Pa.
Juried Exhibits:
Greater Johnstown Camera Club seasonal exhibits
2015 MAY- 1st place
2016 MAY- 2nd place
2016 OCT- 3rd place
2016 OCT- 3rd place2017 MAY- 1st place2017 OCT- 1st place
2017 OCT- 1st place2018 MAY- 1st place2018 MAY- 2nd place2018 OCT- 2nd place
2018 MAY- 2nd place2018 OCT- 2nd place2019 MAY- 1st place2019 MAY- 2nd place2019 MAY- 3rd place
2019 MAY- 2nd place2019 MAY- 3rd placeAllied Artists of Johnstown seasonal exhibits 2023.
Published Photographer:
1991 MARCH Leatherneck: Magazine of the Marines, page 50.
2005 A New Beginning, The International Library of Photography, ISBN 0-7951-5254-X
2016- APRIL, Johnstown Magazine, page 13
2016- MAY, Johnstown Magazine, page 13
2016- JUNE, Johnstown Magazine, page 12
Published Author (Poet):
2003 The Colors of Life, The International Library of Poetry, ISBN 0-7951-5239-6
2003 The Path to Peace, The International Library of Poetry, ISBN 0-7951-5157-8
2004 Who’s Who in Poetry, The International Library of Poetry
2004 The Best Poems & Poets of 2004, The International Library of Poetry
Poet Awards:
2003 “The Dream” Editor’s Choice Award, The International Library of Poetry
2004 “The Father...The Son” Editor’s Choice Award, The International Library of Poetry
Steve Ryan - self portrait
Steve's artwork is shown below
